Briefing Begins for £8bn Highways Maintenance Overhaul
National Highways has launched early market engagement for its ambitious second-generation Maintenance and Response (M&R2) contracts, marking a major step in transforming the upkeep of the UK’s Strategic Road Network. These contracts, valued at around £8 billion, will cover the entire 4,500-mile network that connects key cities and regions, ensuring smooth and safe journeys for millions of road users every day.
The M&R2 programme follows the success of the initial Maintenance and Response contracts, aiming to deliver enhanced efficiency, innovation, and resilience across the network. By engaging with the market early, National Highways seeks to collaborate closely with suppliers and innovators to shape a more dynamic and adaptable maintenance approach.
Maintaining such an extensive and vital road system requires cutting-edge solutions and swift response capabilities to minimise disruptions from road damage, weather impact, or incidents. The new contract framework is set to introduce smarter technologies and improved operational practices that will better anticipate and address maintenance needs.
This large-scale contract is crucial for supporting the government’s wider infrastructure and transport goals, improving safety, reducing congestion, and boosting economic growth through reliable connectivity. As National Highways embarks on this next phase, the collaboration between public and private sectors will be key to delivering long-term benefits for all road users across England.
With this early engagement underway, the coming months will be decisive in defining how the M&R2 contracts will shape the future of highway maintenance on one of the UK’s most critical transport assets.
Source: Briefing starts for £8bn highways maintenance shake-up
Author: Incredible Bulk Freight
